aircraft - Air Marshal's Perspective

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. The basic classification into five generations is widely accepted and recognized. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

First generation subsonic jet fighters (mid 1940s to mid 1950s)

This category comprised of the earliest subsonic jet fighters that appeared during and after the last years of World War II.

They were similar in most respects to their piston-engine contemporaries, having generally straight wings and being of wood and/or light alloy construction.

The main feature of Gen 1 fighter was their advance in speed over its piston-engine predecessors. Introduction of the swept wing allowed transonic speeds to be reached, but controllability was often limited at such speeds. The jet engines did not have afterburners and the aircraft operated in the subsonic regime.

They had basic avionic They had no radars or self- protection countermeasures, and were armed with machine guns or cannons, as well as unguided bombs and rockets.

These aircraft were typically aimed at the air-superiority interceptor role.

According to available sources, fighters in this generation include the following:-

Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe
Heinkel He 162 Salamander
Messershmitt Me 162 Komet
Gloster Meteor
de Havilland Vampire
de Havilland Venom
Hawker Siddeley/Armstrong Whitworth Sea Hawk
Supermarine Attacker
Supermarine Swift
Lockheed P-80 (F-80) Shooting Star
Republic F-84 Thunderjet / Thunderstreak
North American F-86 Sabre
Northrop F-89 Scorpion
Lockheed F-94 Starfire
McDonnell FH-1 Phantom
Vought F6U Pirate
Vought F7U Cutlass
North American FJ (F-1) Fury
McDonnell F2H (F-2) Banshee
McDonnell F3H (F-3) Demon
Douglas F4D (F-6) Skyray
Grumman F9F (F-9) Panther / Cougar
Douglas F3D (F-10) Skyknight
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17
Lavochkin La-15
Yakovlev Yak-15
Yakovlev Yak-17
Yakovlev Yak-23
Dassault Ouragan
Dassault Mystčre
Saab J21R
Saab J29
Saab Lansen
Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck

Coming Up: Generation wise description (2nd – 6th)

References:

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Air-Combat-Seminar-summary-AndrewMcL.pdf

https://www.fighterworld.com.au/az-of-fighter-aircraft/five-generations-of-jets

http://www.codeonemagazine.com/archives/2005/articles/oct_05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_generation_fighter

https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/top-sixth-generation-fighter-jets/?utm_source=Army%20Technology&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=Must%20Read&utm_content=Image

https://migflug.com/jetflights/fighter-jet-generations/

http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0182.shtml

Comments and value additions are most welcome

Categorization of fighter jets in generations is a classification system used around the world. I have always maintained that this is a broad concept with hazy demarcation lines. Although dependent upon the advancement of technology it does not define specific features or capabilities and has a large scope for difference of opinion. Recent discussion with Former CAS, Air Chief Marshal NC Suri, triggered the quest for further research and study of the subject. Sharing few of the related aspects.

Classification. Relevant aspects are as follows:

This method of categorization is unofficial because there is no authorized classification concept based on features or performance of aircraft.

There is no clearly defined line between successive generations. Different authorities have identified different technology jumps as the key ones, dividing fighter development into different numbers of generations.

Each category represents a certain class of technology used in the aircraft: avionics, systems, design, features, engines and weapons etc. Higher generation means a more technologically advanced aircraft.

A Generational shift in jet ﬁghter aircraft occurs when a technological innovation cannot be incorporated into an existing aircraft through upgrades and retrospective ﬁt-outs.

The criteria for the various generations are not universally accepted and are subject to differing opinions.

Genesis.

The origin of the generational categorization of jet combat aircraft is debatable.

The usage appears to have first appeared in Russia during the mid-1990s when officials were planning a competitor to the American Joint Strike Fighter. They categorized previous fighters into four categories and concluded that the next one would be in the fifth generation.

Aviation Week correspondent Bill Sweetman claims it originated from within Lockheed Martin’s business development machine shortly after the X-35 was declared the successful JSF solution in 2001.

Previous attempts at Classification

In 1990 air historian Richard P. Hallion proposed a classification of jet fighters into six generations up to that time. Some others classified them into five generations up to around the same period.

Taylor and Guilmartin named four classifications based on the maximum speed; subsonic, transonic, supersonic and Mach 2, and added a fifth “new” generation with multi-mission capability.

Russian and Chinese observers also categorize aircraft into generations, albeit with differing and broader definitions across fewer generations that relate more towards their own platforms and capabilities.

Accepted Classification Norms. In 2004 Aerospaceweb listed division into five generations. The basic classification into five generations has since been widely accepted. Regardless of their origins Five generations are now widely recognised, with development of a sixth under way. Some accounts have subdivided the 4th generation into 4 and 4.5, or 4+ and 4++.

Coming Up: Generation wise description